Words

“Created by an artist like Mark Raynes Roberts, who has an extraordinary feeling for life and for light, a portrait can illuminate both the outer and the inner worlds of the subject portrayed.” Jane Urquhart

“The Gardiner is delighted to be unveiling twelve luminous new crystal works of art by Mark Raynes Roberts that uniquely celebrate both Canada’s rich literary culture and the beauty of human craftsmanship and creativity. Seeing Mark’s work in the context of the Gardiner collection really illustrates the deep affinity between glass and ceramics in terms of history, design, and technique.”

Kelvin Browne, President & CEO, Gardiner Museum

“We’re pleased to be able to complement the crystal art sculpture exhibit at the Gardiner Museum with a special display of the ILLUMINATION photographic collection here at Harbourfront Centre during the 36th edition of the International Festival of Authors this fall. That Mark has brought together photography, sculpture and literature in such a moving and beautiful way is astonishing. And it’s wonderful to see so many past Festival participants as his subjects.”

Geoffrey Taylor, Director, IFOA, Harbourfront Centre

“In 2015, the Toronto Public Library welcomes a line-up of international luminaries to the Bluma Appel Salon stage this fall, it befits our cultural mandate to showcase the world class array of contemporary authors that Canada is home to, so beautifully portrayed in this collection. The Library will project the portrait photographs in the Cube and Atrium at the Toronto Reference Library and on digital screens at 13 branches.”

“Our authors create, reflect and reimagine our stories which ultimately helps us as a nation understand the world we live in. Mark Raynes Roberts has created an epic homage to Canadian Authors with ILLUMINATION. Inspiring and arresting, the portraits of ILLUMINATION represent an intrinsic part of our cultural psyche.”

Samantha Haywood, Partner & Literary Agent, Transatlantic Agency

“At the Writers’ Trust of Canada, we believe books are crucial to our cultural and historical identity, and that all Canadians benefit when our writers are supported. Bravo to Mark Raynes Roberts for shining a light on Canadian authors with ILLUMINATION, and highlighting how much we have to be proud of in Canadian books.”

Mary Osborne, Executive Director, The Writers’ Trust of Canada

“Congratulations Mark on your illuminating collection of portraits and sculptures, that truly capture the essence of Canadian authors and literature. When we shine a light on literacy, we remind all Canadians what an important, critical thing it is.”

Gillian Mason, President, ABC Life Literacy Canada

“A country is known abroad by its artists and writers, and Canada’s authors are among the most respected and beloved in the world. The ILLUMINATION Project shines a revealing yet intimate light on the writers behind some of the greatest works in our literature.”

“Mark Raynes Roberts’ brilliant visual panorama of Canadian writers showcases the diversity and individuality of literary voices in this country, and eloquently celebrates the important role of writers everywhere play in changing our way of looking at the world and helping to shape who we are, as individuals and as a culture.”

“Mark has amassed an astonishing group of prominent Canadian writers and has profiled them in their places of inspiration, creating a loving collection of portraits that will live on for generations as a beacon of light and creativity.”

Don Oravec, Former Executive Director, The Writers’ Trust of Canada

“Created by an artist like Mark Raynes Roberts, who has an extraordinary feeling for life and for light, a portrait can illuminate both the outer and the inner worlds of the subject portrayed.”

Jane Urquhart, Author

“I’ve been watching the portrait photographs of Canadian authors by Mark Raynes Roberts unfold. The portraits show a depth of understanding of his subjects, a sublime sense of texture, tone, and light that transforms the sitters into intricate studies of their thoughts and writings while revealing what is human and unique about them.”

Bruce Meyer, Author & Poet

“Illumination is mesmerizing, Mark. An inspiring chronicle of the driving forces behind contemporary Canadian writers. Thanks for it. I’m truly honored to be part to it.”

“Mark, you have taken a good idea to a brilliant level. Congratulations!”

Susan Swan, Author

“Somehow there is an alchemy that Raynes Roberts performs in his portraits—you see not only the writers, but their works as a shadowy presence in the background. In the way he fixes their gaze, or invites them to look in the distance, you recognize the writer you will meet on the page. Transubstantiation!”

Rosemary Sullivan, Author

“ILLUMINATION is an amazing project, such a massive effort but also a real sensibility at work.”

Carolyn Smart, Poet & Professor of Writing, Queens University

“I’ve been looking at all these subtle and powerful portraits Mark has been taking of Canadian Authors. Wow. Each one so true! What a gift to us all.”

Martha Baillie, Author and Poet

“The ILLUMINATION portraits make me feel like I’m seeing the essence of these writers – windows into their true selves.”

Sarah MacWhirter, Globe & Mail Newspaper

“That portrait of Wayson Choy is stunning – I can’t stop looking at it, but all the others are great too. Many are of my friends and you really capture their personalities. I’m surprised how much variety there can be in a simple black and white photograph.”

Angie Abdou, Author

“These portraits of authors are incredible. The writers personalities really come through in your photos.”

Danila Botha, Author

“Often when I am photographed I feel that the photographs are oddly disjunctive with what I do. Your photographs somehow got at something in me. I looked at all of them thinking “Yes this is me.” Thank you for this.”

Shyam Selvadurai, Author

“Thank you again for undertaking this ambitious and generous work, and all you have done on behalf of writers and books and literary culture.”

Sarah Sheard, Author

“You have managed to do the impossible…twice! First you made the photo shoot fun instead of torture. And now, even more miraculously, you’ve managed to take several photos of me that I actually like! So many that I like, in fact, that I’m having trouble deciding on just three.”

Diane Schoemperlen, Author and Poet

“Just wanted to say I enjoyed the shoot yesterday. Now if I can just figure out how to unsquinch. I think the photos are great I really love them.”

Wayne Johnston, Author

“Mark – I particularly appreciate these last three images! A wonderful introduction to your themes and intentions. You’re a writer, believe me.”

Wayson Choy, Author

“Thank you so much for including me in your series and for these fantastic photographs. I can think of no higher compliment than to say that I see myself and my home when I see the pictures.”

Kamal Al-Solaylee

“ How lovely, Mark — congratulations! I’m delighted to be part of the project, and can’t wait to see the ILLUMINATION exhibitions.”

Alissa York, Author

“Mark has pioneered a new art form that is imaginative and lasting.”

Peter C. Newman, Author & Journalist

“With these brilliant and evocative portraits, Mark Raynes Roberts shows us the power of light and shadow and offers us a special connection to the writer.”

“Congratulations on the completion of your ILLUMINATION project, which certainly includes a most impressive collection of portraiture. Both Elke and I particularly enjoyed recognizing faces of authors we haven’t seen for years.”

Tim & Elke Inkster, Publisher, The Porcupine’s Quill

“Quite simply, the landscape and culture of Canada empowers great writers with a rich minefield of content to draw upon for their stories. With ILLUMINATION – Portraits of Canadian Literature + Authors, Mark Raynes Roberts pays homage to the diverse and prolific talent of a country we should all be proud to call home.”

Steffi Black, Former Entertainment Reporter, Global TV, and now Kindness Advocate for Schools and Corporations

What a gift to see to the unique intelligence and spirit of some of Canada’s most exceptional and influential writers, loved both here and abroad, revealed so truthfully and with such sensitivity through the inspiring lens of Mark Raynes Robert’s camera.

Martha Kanya-Forstner, Editor-in-Chief, Doubleday Canada

Mark! What a nice evening, but more importantly—- wow!!!! Your work is extraordinarily beautiful, and the whole concept of this show imaginative and stunning. Thank you for including me in such a wonderful affair.

Eve MacDougall, Arts Philanthopist

The ILLUMINATION gala and soiree was an absolute “triumph!’ The artistic tone and brilliant imagination reflected in both the stellar sculptures and the photographs are overwhelming. I shall plan a return visit to the Gardiner so I can appreciate the installation in more serene circumstances.

Alison Fisher, Arts Philanthropist

I was blown away by your work, the research of identifying all the quotations about light and then interpreting them through your own sensitivity and filter and craft. Wow! The launch party was done as meticulously. I observed how much care you showed in making each one of your guests feel welcome. Your warmth and natural panache and ability to bring people together made for a memorable evening.